Venetian blind



March 30, 1954 E. A. RULFS VENETIAN BLIND 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 24. 1947 INVENTOR Mai mm 17 [Yul 4f I W Y W ATTORNEYS March 30, 1954 E. A. RULFS VENETIAN BLIND 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 24, 1947 3 r aw l ml m Q r 1 MM. 5 M

March 30, 1954 E. A. RULFS VENETIAN BLIND 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 24, 1947 v I NV E N TOR.

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ATTORNEYS March 30, 1954 E. A. RULFS 2,673,607

VENETIAN BLIND Filed June 24, 1947 e Sheets-Sheet 4 w la Q B Q? a Y I k L x L v. w w a Q \Q \Q 4 Q \n w 6 X m a w w w \w. a w

w w w w INVENTOR ATTORNEYS March 30, 1954 E. A. RULFS VENETIAN BLIND 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 24. 1947 l N V E N TOR. Zia (1rd Al. Kai/f ATTORNEYS March 30, 1954 Filed June 24, 1947 E. A. RULFS VENETIAN BLIND 6 SheetsSheet 6 INVENTOR irigdrd fl Kai/5 fizz/Maw ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 30, 1954 UNITED STATES TENT OFFICE VENETIAN BLIND Application June 24, 1947, Serial No. 756,633

9 Claims. 1

This invention relates to Venetian blinds, and more particularly to a plural-purpose Venetian blind of novel design and construction which can be manipulated by the user with ease and facility to eliminate sun and light glare and provide the degree of light or darkness desired for the room Without restricting the admission of fresh outside air. This application is a continuation-in-part of my copeding application Serial Number 682,040 filed July 8, 1946, now abandoned.

Dark window shades which may be drawn over the window are customary window equipment and are used to darken the room and exclude annoying sun glare or light, which is particularly desirable when the room occupant seeks rest or retirement. On other occasions it is desirable to permit admission of a certain amount of light into the room through the window and yet exclude annoying glare and maintain privacy. Light colored window shades, including Venetian blinds, have been extensively used for the purpose of eliminating annoying direct sun or light in the room and maintain privacy. Light shading and dark shading of the room has been furnished by equipping the window with both a dark shade and a light shade, either in the form of two rolling shades, or a rolling shade and a single-purpose Venetian blind. When a roller shade is pulled all the way to the window sill in order to exclude sun light or peepers, there can be only a negligible amount of air admitted through the window opening into the room. When the single purpose light colored blind is used to exclude the direct sun rays, and as much as possible of reflected light,

the slats must be pulled together so tight as to the degree of such shading, may be conveniently effected and thus to provide, in a single instrumentality, the plural-purpose shading which the room requires.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved Venetian blind comprising primary and secondary shading slat systems, with means for conveniently and selectively manipulating the slat systems to provide both dark and light shading for the room in which it is installed.

A further object of this invention is to provide a plural-purpose Venetian blind which may be constructed at relatively low cost, which may be conveniently manipulated to provide plural-pur pose room shading, which is substantially foolproof in operation, and which can be made to 2 provide highly attractive decorative effects for the room in which it is used.

Plural-purpose Venetian blinds constructed in accordance with this invention are featured by the use of a primary slat system and a secondary slat system which may be manipulated separately or in unison to provide dark colored, light colored or mixed color shading effects. The primary slat system comprises a series of primary slats suspended from a tilting frame assembly by front and rear supporting bands. The secondary slat system comprises a series of secondary slats arranged in alternate relationship with respect to the primary slats, the secondary slat system being suspended from the head frame assembly by a secondary slat elevating and lowering mechanism operating independently of the system for lowering and raising the primary slat system.

The primary slats are uniformly colored or shaded so that the top side of each slat presents one color shading while the opposite or lower side of each primary slat presents a different color shading. Each of the alternating secondary slats presents the top and bottom faces thereof in opposite colors. Assuming, for example, that the top face of each of the primary slats is light in color and the bottom face thereof is dark in color, the secondary slats would then each present a dark colored top face and a light colored bottom face. The secondary slat elevating and lowering mechanism is so constructed as to elevate and lower the secondary slats between the primary slats and into paired nested arrangement with either the adjacent overlying primary slat or the adjacent underlying primary slat. By means of this adjustment, the secondary slats may be paired with the underlying primary slats so as to give the visual appearance of a single slat, with the upper .face of the secondary slat and the lower face of the primary slat substantially alike in color, as for example, dark in color, with the adjacent light colored faces of the paired slats nested together so as to visually conceal the adjacent light colored faces thereof. When the secondary slats are lifted to pair off with the overlying primary slats, the paired slats present the top and bottom faces thereof in similar color, as for example light in color, with the adjacent nested dark col ored faces thereof concealed from visual view. Tilting mechanism is provided for rocking the tilting frame assembly so as to tilt the slats in unison to the desired inclined position to reveal either the dark colored faces, or the light colcred faces thereof to visual view. Both the pri- ;mary and secondary slats may also be tilted in unison when the secondary slats are spaced from the adjacent primary slats to give a striped or plural-color effect of a decorative nature.

Mechanism is thus provided for lifting and lowering both the primary and secondary slat systems in unison and to retain both slat systems in the desired elevated or extended position. Mechanism associated with the tilting frame assembly is also provided for tilting both the primary and secondary slat systems in unison to any desired room shading position. Additional mechanism is provided for lifting and lowering the secondary slats into paired relationship with either the overlying or underlying primary slats to produce the desired dark or light shading effect, or to suspend the secondary slats in spaced relation to the primary slats to achieve pluralcolor decorative effects.

Venetian blinds constructed in accordance with this invention thus combine in a single instrumentality the means to effect light shading, dark shading, varying degrees Oflightness or darkness, and multi-color decorative shading which the user may selectively obtain, without restricting the adm ssion of fresh outside air, by a simple manipulation of mechanism which controls the operation of the primary and secondary slat systems. These plural-purpose Venetian blinds are relatively simple in construction, can be manufactured at an economical cost, are substantially fool-proof in operation, and provide a simple and attractive instrumentality whereby various shading and decorative effects may be conveniently achieved.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent as the disclosure proceeds.

Although the characteristic features of the invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto, the invention itself, and the manner in which it may be carried out. may be better understood by referring to the follo ing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, in which Fig. 1 is a rear elevational and hanging view of this improved Venetian blind, this view showing the head frame partly in section and the secondary slats separated from the companion primary slats.

Fig. 2 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the Venetian blind in hanging position as the same would appear when viewed in the direction of the arrows 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a somewhat enlarged vertical crosssectional view of the upper portion of the Venetian blind showing the primary and secondary slats spaced apart and tilted as the same would appear when viewed in the direction of the arrows 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a. somewhat enlarged vertical crosssectional view of the upper portion of the Venetian blind as shown in Fig. 3 and as the same would appear when the primary and secondary slats have been manipulated into paired position and in tilted, shading arrangement.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary horizontal cross-sectional view looking down on a fragmentary portion of one of the secondary slats as the same would appear when viewed along line 5-5 of Fig. 1, this view showing the means which may be employed for connecting the secondary slat to the secondary slat shifting mechanism.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged and fragmentary crosssectional view taken verticallythrough a pair of adjacent primary and secondary slats as the 4 same would appear when viewed along line 6-6 of Fig. 5, this view showing further details of the connecting device employed for connecting the shift ng cord to the secondary slats.

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view of a pair of adjacent primary and secondary slats as the same would appear when viewed in the direction of the arrows 11 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of the Venetian blind looking down upon a fragment of one of the secondary slats, this view showing a somewhat modified means which may be employed for connecting the secondary slat to the secondary slat shifting mechanism.

Fig. 9 is an en arged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken vertically through a pair of adjacent primary and secondary slats as the same would appear when viewed along line 9-9 of Fig. 8, this view showing further details of the modified means for connecting the secondary slats to the secondary slat shifting mechanism.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of the connecting device shown in Figs. 8 and 9 for connecting the secondary slat to the cord leg forming a part of the secondary slat shifting mechanism.

Fig. 11 is a vertical transverse cross-sectional view of the slat systems, this view showing the primary and secondary slats arranged in paired position with the dark faces thereof exposed to view and the light faces thereof in adjacent interfitting and concealed position.

Fig. 12 is a vertical transverse cross-sectional View showing the primary and secondary slats in s aced, position with both the dark and the light faces thereof exposed to view.

Fig. 13 is a vertical transverse cross-sectional vew of the slat systems showing the primary and secondary slats arranged in interfitting paired position with the light faces thereof exposed to view and the dark faces thereof in adjacent viewconcealing nested position.

Fig. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view showing the primary and secondar slats tilted to shading position and with the primary and secondary slats arranged in paired position with the dark faces thereof exposed to View.

Fig. 15 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of the slat systems showing the primary and secondary slats arranged in tilted and shingled position to expose both the dark and the light faces thereof to exterior view.

Fig. 16 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of the slat systems with the primary and secondary slats arranged in paired and tilted position and with the light faces thereof exposed to exterior view and the dark faces thereof arranged in nested view-concealing position.

Fig. 17 is a front elevational hanging view of a Venetian blind made in accordance with this invention. this Venetian blind having incorporated therewith somewhat modified mechanism for shifting the secondary slats, this view showing the head frame partly in section.

Fig. 18 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view illustrating further details of the Venetian blind shown in Fig. 17; and

Fig. 19 is a fragmentary horizontal cross-sect'onal view of an adjacent pair of secondary and primary slats as the same would appear when viewedalong line IS--IS of Fig. 17, this view showing the light face of the secondary slat. and

the adjacent dark face of the underlying primary slat.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings and specification.

Improved Venetian blinds made in accordance with this invention generally comprise a head frame assembly I from which the shading slats and the slat manipulating mechanism is supported. A tilting frame assembly 2 is suspended from the head frame assembly by suitable suspension means which permits the head frame assembly to be rocked longitudinally thereof through approximately a 180 angle. A weighted bottom frame member 3 is provided which is connected to and suspended from the tilting frame assembly by a pair of front supporting bands 36 and a pair of rear supporting bands 36'.

An important feature of this invention is the provision of duplex slat systems comprising a series of primary slats 5 which are connected to and supported by the front and rear supporting bands 35 and 36, and a series of secondary slats 6 alternating between the primary slats 5. One side face of the primary slats 5 has a light colored coating a and the opposite face thereof carries a dark colored coating b. For example, as shown in the drawings, the top face of each primary slat 5 has a suitable light colored coat ing a which may be white, light yellow, light blue or light pink in color, and the lower face b is coated with a darker color such as dark grey, dark green, dark blue, dark brown or like relatively dark color. The secondary slats 6 have the side faces thereof oppositely coated with similar light and dark colors. As shown in the drawings for example, the top face of each secondary slat 6 is coated with a dark color I) such as dark grey,

dark green, dark blue or dark brown and its lower face is coated with a relatively light color a such as white, light yellow, light blue or light pink, corresponding in shade to the upper coated faces a and the primary slats 5.

Lifting mechanism 1 is provided, associated with the head frame assembly i, for lifting and lowering the bottom frame member 3, latching means being provided to suspend the bottom frame member 3 at any desired elevation. Lifting of the bottom frame member 3 by means of the lifting mechanism 1 serves to lift both the primary and secondary slats upwardly towards the hung head frame assembly I, the primary and secondary slats being lifted in successive order beginning with the lowermost slats. Lowering of the bottom frame member 3 by manipulation of the lifting and lowering mechanism 1 permits both the primary and secondary slats to successively assume their full hung position beginning with the topmost slats, in accordance with the manipulated adjustment of the lifting and lowering mechanism 1.

Mechanism 8 is also provided for tilting the head frame horizontally and longitudinally thereof for a full 180 angle. Tilting movement of the tilting frame assembly 2 operates to also tilt the bottom frame 3, along with the primary slats 5 and the secondary slats 6.

Shifting mechansm ii] is provided for elevating and lowering the secondary slats '9, independently of the primary slats 5, to achieve the desired change in color-tone appearance of the primary and secondary slat assemblies. By a proper manipulation of the shifting mechanism [0, all the slats ii of the secondary slat system may be lifted so that the top face b of each secondary slat is positioned in abutting relation to the adjacent lower surface b of the superimposed primary slat so that the primary slats 5 and the secondary slats 6 are arranged in nested pairs to simulate a single slat presenting exposed upper and lower surfaces 11 and a having the cross-sectional appearance as generally illustrated in Fig. 11. When the shifting mechanism H) is manipulated to lower the secondary slats 6 to full lowered position, the lower surface a of each secondary slat will telescope over and nest with the upper surface a of the adjacent lower primary slat 5, in a manner so that the secondary slats 6 will pair off with the adjacent lower primary slats 5 so as to conceal the surfaces a and a therebetween and leave the paired surfaces 19 and b exposed, in the manner more particularly illustrated in cross section in Fig. 13.

While the primary slats 5 and the secondary slats 6 preferably possess a slightly rounded or arcuate curvature as illustrated in Figs. 11, 12 and 13, it is understood that the slats may be flat if desired. The slats may be made from thin sheet aluminum, sheet steel, plastics or other suitable material. The slats are thus relatively light in weight and adapted to be closely nested and paired together, so that the Venetian blind has the appearance of being composed of only a single slat system. Thus, when the primary and secondary slats have been paired off in the manner shown in Fig. 11 the paired primary and secondary slats visually appear as single slats presenting a dark upper face I) and a dark lower 1. face I), the light adjacent faces a and a being effectively concealed. As thus paired, the slats may be rocked to their tilted or shading position as shown in Fig. 14 providing a dark shade assembly which serves to absorb or subdue light rays, darken the room in which it is hung, and eliminate glare and light reflection therefrom, without restricting the admission of outside air; the degree of darkening being varied by the degree of tilt to which the slats are adjusted.

When the secondary slats, by means of the shifting mechanism ill described hereinafter in further detail, have been shifted and paired 01f with the primary slats in the manner illustrated in Fig. 13, the paired slats will present the visual appearance of a single slat system, with the exposed upper face a and lower face a thereof exposed to view, and with the adjacent nested dark faces I) and b thereof fully concealed from view. Upon tilting of the primary and secondary slat assemblies as thus paired, as by means of the tilting mechanism 9, the paired slats will appear as illustrated in Fig. 16, with only the light faces of the paired slats visible to view. As thus adjusted the Venetian blind gives the room a light and pleasant appearance, with sun glare shielded from the room.

The secondary slats 5 may also be shifted by the shifting mechanism Ill to a position intermediate the adjacent primary slats 5, and thus retained in the desired shifted position by a latching device associated with the shifting mechanism I0, so that the primary and secondary slat systems would appear in cross section as shown in Fig. 12. When the primary and secondary slats are then tilted to shading position as shown in Fig. 15, a portion of the light face of one slat system and a portion of the dark face of the other slat system will be exposed to view, so that the combined slat systems will present a variegated multi-color appearance of attractive strata? color e'fiec'ts, the ability of the bliiidto' shield light glare from the room being in no wise impaired. I The head frame assembly I may comprise a head frame member II which may be formed from wood or metal of suflicient strength to adequately support the Venetian blind assembly, the frame member I being secured as by suitable brackets or other securing means to the building wall or the top of the window frame where installed. The frame member H supports certain parts of the operating mechanism, which can be effectively concealed from view by the provision of a front apron section l2 and end apron sections l3 secured to and depending from the head frame member II as shown more particularly in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and '7. The head frame member II and the depending apron sections [2 and It may be shaped and constructed to simulate a decorative cornice. The depending apron sections 52 and i3 may be of sufficient depth to also substantially conceal the tilting frame member If; forming a part of the'tilting frame assembly.

The tilting frame member l5, housed within the depending apron sections [2 and I3, may be made of wood or metal, is of somewhat shorter length than the head frame member I l and has a width which approximates the width of the primary and secondary slats 5 and 6. the tilting frame member [5 is supported by a bracket I6 having a flange portion H which is secured to the adjacent head frame member H as by screws or other securing elements [8.

The bracket I; has a depending leg portion I!) as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the depending leg portion {Q having an inclined slot 2% into which a stud 2i projecting from the adjacent end of the tilting frame member may extend. One end of the tilting frame member [5 is rockably supported by its associated stud 2b seated within the base of the bracket slot 26 in a manner to prevent unobstructed swinging movement of the tilting frame member [5 for a full 180.

Means are provided at the other end of the tilting frame member I5 which form a part of the tilting mechanism 9 for positively tilting the frame member l5 through a full 180 angle. This tilting means may comprise a bracket which is suitably secured as by securing element 25' suitably secured to the under side of the head frame member H, as shown more particularly in Figs. 1 and 3. The bracket 25 has a bearing assembly 26 associated therewith which rotatably supports a. pinion shaft 27. A pulley wheel 28 is fixed to the projecting end of the pinion shaft 21, and a pull chain is looped over the pulley wheel '28 and is so constructed as to grip and rotate the pulley wheel 28 when either depend ing leg of the pull chain is drawn. Thus the pulley wheel 28' can be rotated in either direc-' tion to pivot the tilting frame member I5 in either direction through a full 180 angle.

Rotative movement of the pulley wheel 28 is transmitted to the tilting frame member by means of a worm gear 29 fixed to the pinion shaft 2'! contained within a housing 30 which encloses the bearing assembly 25. The worm gear 29 meshes with a drive gear 3| fixed to a stub shaft 32. The stub shaft 32 projects laterally from a clamp bracket 33 which is fixed to the adjacent end of the tilting frame member l5 as by suitable securing means 34. Stub shaft 32 is rotatably supported by the housing 30 which forms an integral part of the supporting bracket structure One end of 25, the ho'dsifig serving to erlcas and enclose the drive gear 3i as well as the worm gear 29 and the associated bearing assembly 26. As thus constructed, the right or left hand legs of the draw chain 35 may be manually manipulated to rock or tilt the frame member IS in either direction as desired through a full angle, which tilting movement of the frame member l5 effects a corresponding tilting movement of the bottom frame member 3 as well as the primary and secondary slat systems.

The bottom frame member 3 may be made substantially the same length and width as the primary and secondary slats 5 and 6 respectively. The bottom frame member 3 is connected to the tilting frame member l5 by a pair of spaced front supporting bands 36 and a corresponding pair of spaced rear supporting bands 36 as illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4. The lower ends of the front and rear supporting bands 36 and 36' are secured to the adjacent front and rear faces of the bottom frame member 3 by suitable securing elements 3?. The upper ends of the front and rear supporting bands 36 and 38' are also secured to the adjacent front and rear side faces of the tilting frame member l5 as by suitable securing elements 38. The front and rear supporting bands 38 and 36 may be made from a strong and wearable fabric. The fabric employed should possess high tensile strength, be readily flexible, resistant to abrasion and wear, and free from appreciable stretch. Fabric well adapted for this purpos may be made from relatively heavy gauge woven nylon threads.

The bottom frame member 3 should desirably possess some weight so as to maintain the front and rear supporting bands 36 and. 36 straight and slightly taut when the bottom frame member 3 is in its lowermost extended position. The bands 36 and 35 also provide support for the primary slat system, which support is provided by cross bands 39 which span the space between each front supporting band 36 and the adjacent rear supporting band 35. Each primary slat 5 is thus supported by an underlying pair of cross bands 39 whose end portions 39 are sewn or otherwise suitably secured to the adjacent side faces of the adjacent front and rear supporting bands 38 and 35, the weight of the slats maintaining each primary slat in supported contact with its pair of cross bands 39. When the frame member I5 is tilted, it will be appreciated that the front supporting bands 35 and the rear supporting bands 36' are raised or lowered, raisin movement by the front supporting bands 36 resulting in a lowering movement of the rear sup porting band 38', or vice versa. The raising or lowering movement of the front supporting bands 36 and the resulting opposite lowering or raising movement of the rear supporting bands 38, causes the cross bands 39 to assume a correspond ing tilted position. Tilting movement of the cross bands 39 tilts the primary slats 5 supported thereon at a corresponding inclined angle as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4.

The bottom frame member 3, as well as the primary and secondary slats 5 and are lifted and lowered in successive order by the lifting and lowering mechanism '1, as shown in Figs. 1 and 17. The lifting mechanism i may comprise a manipulating cord 49 which is preferably made of woven textile fabric of strong abrasion resistant quality, and may desirably be made from nylon. Both legs 4| and 42 of the cord 4!) may be trained over adirective pulley I53 rotatably mounted upon a horizontally extending pin 44 fixed to the top frame member H. The cord pulley 43 may be partially contained within a conforming opening 45 provided in the head frame member ll. One leg M of the manipulat ing cord 45. also travels over a directive pulley 45 rotatably mounted on a horizontally extending pin i? fixed to the head frame member H substantially directly above one pair of front and rear supporting bands 35 and 35. The pulley 45 may also be suitably recessed in an opening 48 formed in the head frame member ii.

That section of the cord leg 4! which travels beyond the pulley 46 extends downwardly through vertically aligned openings 49 formed in the successive primary slats 5, the lower end of the cord leg 4! being suitably secured as by securing element 5!] to the bottom frame member 3. It will be apparent by referring to Figs. 1 and 17 that the section of the cord leg 4| which extends beyond the pulley lid is substantially concealed from view between front and rear supporting bands 56 and The other cord leg d2 of the manipulating cord as travels along the upper face of the head fram member H and over a directive pulley 5i journaled on a horizontally extending pin 52 fixed to the head frame member I! substantially directly over the front and rear supporting bands 35 and 36' at the other end of the slat assembly.

That section of the cord leg 42 which extends beyond the pulley wheel 5| also extends through aligned openings 49 in the primary slats 5, and its lower end is suitably secured as by a securing element 53 to the bottom frame member 3.

The manipulating cord presents a loop section 54 which hangs downwardly from the double pulley 43. The loop section 54 may be readily grasped and a downward pull exerted thereon so as to raise the bottom. frame member 3 and successively raise the primary and secondary slats in successive order up to a point where all the primary and secondary slats have been bunched together in nested relationship adjacent the tilting frame member l5. When the loop section 54 is paid out toward the double pulley 43, the gravity weight of the bottom frame member 5 will cause the bottom frame member 3 to lower, causing a downward straightening of the front and rear supporting bands 36 and 36', permitting the primary slats 5 to assume their normal suspended spacing.

The bottom frame member 3 and the adjacent slats may be maintained in any desired elevation as by a latch device 55 positioned to lock the cord legs 4i and 42 against movement. The latching device 55 may comprise a knurled segment 56 pivoted as by pin 57 supported by a tubular section 58 extending beneath the pulley wheel 43 and secured to the head frame member H. When the loop section 54 of the manipulating cord 40 is moved to the right as shown in Figs. 1 and 1'7, the cord legs 4! and 42 will be out of contact with the knurled segment 55 of the latch device 55, permitting the cord legs 41 and 42 to freely roll over their respective pulley systems. When the loop section 54 is swung to the left as shown in Figs. 1 and 17, the cord legs 4! and 42 will engage the knurled segment 56 and exert a camming grip thereon, the knurled segment being limited in its movement by a stop pin 59. While the latching device above described is suitable for the purpose, it will be appreciated that other forms and types of latching devices may be used as desired.

An important feature of this invention is the provision of shifting mechanism It for shifting the secondary slats into and out of paired relationship with the corresponding adjacent overlying and underlying primary slats. The shifting mechanism It) is so constructed as to manipulate all of the secondary slats in unison. Since the secondary slats are arranged in alternate re lationship to the primary slats, each secondary slat is permitted to travel the distance between the lower surface b of the adjacent superimposed primary slat and the upper surface a of the adjacent underlying primary slat.

The secondary slat shifting mechanism may be variously constructed to effect a positive shifting of the secondary slat system. The shifting mechanism as illustrated in Fig. 1 may comprise a manipulating cord 60 having a loop section 6| thereof hanging downwardly from the adjacent end of the frame member It, and preferably opposite the end at which the loop section 54 of the manipulating cord 50 is positioned. The secondary slat shifting cord 55 may be made from a woven textile fabric of strong abrasive resisting quality, which is readily flexible, free from appreciable stretch, and may desirably be made from nylon thread. Both legs 52 and B3 of the cord 55 may be trained over a direction pulley 64 mounted upon a horizontally extending pin 65 fixed to the top frame member II. The cord pulley 54 may be substantially contained within a conforming opening 66 provided in the head frame member i l, the conforming opening 65 having a guide channel or tube section 61 fitted therein.

One cord leg 62 travels from the direction pulley G4 horizontally along the top face of the head frame member H and is trained over a direction pulley 68 mounted on a horizontally extending pin 69 fixed to the head frame member ll substantially directly above one pair of the front and rear supporting bands 35 and 36'. The pulley 68 may thus be positioned closely adjacent to the pulley wheel 5 4, both of these pulleys being suitably recessed in an opening (ll formed in the head frame member ii. That section of the cord leg 62 which travels beyond the direction pulley 68 extends downwardly through vertically aligned openings 49 formed in the successive primary slats. Thus the cord leg 82 is free to travel independently of the primary slats.

The other cord leg 63 extends from the direction pulley 64 along the upper face of the head frame member I i to a direction pulley H over which it is trained. The direction pulley H is journaled on a horizontally extending pin 12 fixed to the head frame member If substantially directly over the adjacent front and rear supporting bands 36 and 35 at the right hand side of the slat assembly as shown in Fig. 1. The direction pulley H may be positioned closely adjacent the direction pulley 46 and recessed within the opening 48 in the head frame member ll. That section of the cord leg 63 which extends beyond the direction pulley H is threaded through the adjacent aligned openings 49 provided in the primary slats 5. The extended section of the cord leg 63 is thus substantially concealed from visible view by the overlying front and rear supporting bands 36 and 36 at the right hand side of the assembly as shown in Fig. 1, and likewise the cord leg 62 is substantially concealed from visible view by the adjacent overlying front and rear supporting bands 36 and 36' as shown at the left hand side of Fig. 1.'

Each of the secondary slats 6 are provided with a pair of slots or holes 13 cut therein through which the cord legs 62 and 63 may be threaded. The slat holes 13 through which the cord leg 62 is threaded are in substantially vertical alignment with each other, and with the adjacent aligned holes 49 in the primary slats through which the cord leg 62 also extends. At the right hand end of the assembly as shown in Fig. 1, the cord leg 63 is threaded through the adjacent aligned holes 13in the secondary slats 6 and the adjacent aligned holes 49 in the primary slats 5. All of the adjacent aligned holes 13 and 49 are substantially concealed by the overlying front and rear supporting bands 36 and 36.

The extended section of the cord legs 62 and 63 are secured to each of the secondary slats in a manner to permit manipulation of the secondary slats as a unitary assembly by appropriate manipulation of the loop section 6| of the cord 66. The means for connecting cord legs 62 and 63 to the secondary slats should therefore provide a positive and strong connection, and yet permit substantially free tilting movement of the secondary slats through substantially a full 180 angle.

One form of connecting means adaptable for the purpose is illustrated more particularly in Figs. 5, 6 and 7. The connecting means here shown comprises a T-shaped pin 15 which is preferably made of strong steel wire of limited diameter and thickness, and preferably not greater than of an inch in diameter. The stem section 16 of the T-pin 15 is secured to the secondary slat adjacent the opening 13 therein and extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the slat. The stem section 16 may be secured to the slat by any suitable means such as by welding or soldering, or may be threaded through adjacent pin holes 11 formed in the slot in a manner to provide a strong attachment as illustrated in Figs. and 6. The laterally extending arm sections 18 of the T- pin I5 span the slat opening 13 transversely thereof at approximately the mid-section thereof. The free ends of each of the arm sections 18 may be welded or soldered to the adjacent portions of the secondary slat, or may be provided with a hook portion 19 at the end of each arm section I8 which is hooked into the adjacent part of the secondary slat in a manner to provide a firm and strong connection.

The stem section 11 of the T-pin I5 is pierced through the adjacent cord leg of the manipulating cord 60 in a manner so that the secondary slat may hinge on the cord leg and have substantially free tilting movement through an angl of approximately 180. To reinforce the cord leg at the joint point where it is pierced by the stem section 1! of the Tpin 15, a small globular shaped setting 86 may be provided which may be made of metal and which embraces and is clamped to the cord leg adjacent the stem section 71. The stem section I1 extends through the globular setting 80 to provide a strong and sturdy bearing about which the secondary slat may tilt upon the suspended leg of the cord 60. The T-pin connecting devices provide a strong and positive means for connecting the secondary slats 6 to the cord legs 62 and 63 in uniform spaced relationship and in a manner so that all the secondary slats may be vertically manipulated as a unitary assembly by the manipulating cord 60.

The secondary slats 6 are so spaced and arranged that the top surface b of each slat may be lifted in close relationship to the underside b of the adjacent superimposed primary slat 5 upon proper manipulation of the cord 60. Likewise each of the secondary slats may be lowered to any desired intermediate position between the adjacent upper and lower primary slats as illustrated for example in Fig. 12, or may be fully lowered so that the underside surface a thereof closely overlies the adjacent upper face a of the adjacent underlying primary slat. The T-pins 15 being made of steel, are extremely strong, are of small diameter, and are so attached and embedded in the adjacent parts of the secondary slats so as not to appreciably increase the thickness of the secondary slats at the points where the T-pins 15 are connected thereto. Thus the T-pin connection devices 15 offer little or no obstruction to the substantially nested fitting contact between the adjacent surfaces of the primary and secondary slats. When th secondary slats have been paired in nested relationship with the adjacent primary slats, the primary and secondary slats as thus paired appear as a single slat as viewed from the room side as well as the window side of the Venetian blind, the adjacent nested faces of the paired primary and secondary slats being wholly invisible.

Suitable latching means are provided to retain the secondary slats in any desired intermediate position between the adjacent primary slats as shown in Fig. 12, and also to retain the secondary slats in closely paired and nested position with the adjacent superimposed primary slats. A latching device useful for this purpose may comprise a knurled segment pivotally supported upon a pivot pin 86 secured to the tubular section 61 which partially houses the direction pulley 64. The knurled segment 85 is limited in its swinging movement on the hinge pin 86 by a stop pin 81 fixed to the wall of the tubular section 61. When the loop section 6| of the manipulating cord 60 is drawn to the left as shown in Fig. 1, the cord legs 62 and 63 are free to travel over the direction pulley 64 to raise or lower the secondary slats. When the cord legs 62 and 63 are swung to the right as shown in Fig. l, the latch segment 85 is engaged in a manner to cause the latch segment 85 to swing upwardly as shown in Fig. 1 and grip the cord legs 62 and 63 to prevent further upward travel thereof. The cord legs 62 and 63 are thus locked against further movement, thereby retaining the secondary slats 6 secured to the cord legs 62 and 63 at a fixed predetermined elevation. It will be appreciated that this invention is not limited to the particular latching device illustrated in Fig. 1, but that other devices may be used for latching the manipulating cord 66 in fixed position as may be desired.

There is shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10 another type of means which may be employed for tiltably connecting the secondary slats 6 to the cord legs 62 and 63. In the form of the invention here shown, aligned transversely extending holes 66 and 9| may be provided in the primary slats and secondary slats respectively, through which the cord legs 4| and 42 may freely travel. The holes 96 and 9| are of sufficient transverse width to permit both the primary and secondary slats to freely tilt through an angle of approximately while the cord leg extending therethrough is in a straight-line position. Adjacent aligned holes 92 and 93 are also provided in the second- 13 ary slats and the primary slats respectively through which the cord legs 62 and 63 extend.

The secondary slats are provided with means 94 for pivotally connecting the cord legs '52 and 63 to the secondary slats to permit 180 tilting movement thereof. Each of the connecting means 95, as shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10, may comprise a thin metal plate 95 seating against the secondary slat adjacent the hole 92 therein. The thin metal plate 95 may be circular or polygonal in shape, and is provided with an enlarged center opening 96 through which the cord leg of the manipulating cord 66 extends. The cord leg is preferably provided with a tubular sleeve 91 which embraces the cord leg adjacent the opening 96 in the metal hinge plate 95. A pivot pin 98 extends through the sleeve 9i and the body of the cord leg. The projecting ends of the pivot pin 98 may be secured as by struck out strap portion 99 to the slat supporting plate 95. Thus the supporting plate 95 is free to tilt with respect to the cord leg. Each of the secondary slats 6 is provided with a pair of openings 92, and a connecting device 94 is associated with each of the openings 92. The aligned openings 99 and SI in the secondary and primary slats, and the adjacent aligned openings 92 and 93 in the secondary and primary slats, are substantially concealed between the adjacent front and rear supporting bands 36 and 36'.

To further exemplify other means and devices which may be employed for shifting the secondary slats within the purview of this invention, there is shown in Figs. 17, 18 and 19 another type of secondary slat shifting mechanism which makes use of a winding roller I which may be made of wood or metal and which extends longitudinally of and is rotatabiy mounted upon the tilting frame member I5. One end of the winding roller Ifill has a projecting stud It! fixed thereto which is rotatably mounted in the upstanding leg 553 of a bracket I02, the horizontal leg IDA. of the bracket being suitably secured to the tilting frame member I5.

A pair of front supporting bands m and a pair of rear supporting bands I05 provide the support for the secondary slats 6. The upper ends I06 of the supporting bands Hi5 and IE5 are fixedly secured to the winding roller I90 as illustrated more particularly in Fig. 18. Each pair of front and rear supporting bands I05 and I05 maybe positioned adjacent the paired front and rear supporting bands 38 and 36 to form a neat appearing construction. Each of the secondary slats 6 are supported between the paired front and rear supporting bands Hi5 and I05 by a pair of underlying cross bands Illl whose end por tions It? are stitched or otherwise secured to the adjacent paired supporting bands I95 and I85. Thus ach secondary slat t rests upon and is supported by a pair of cross straps ID! to which the slat may be secured if desired. The lower ends we of the front and rear supporting bands are suitably secured to the lowermost secondary slat 6, as shown more particularly in Fig. 17.

In the construction above described, it will be appreciated that when the winding roller IUD is rotated in one direction, the paired front and rear supporting bands I05 and I85 will be drawn upwardy as the upper ends of the bands are wound on the roller I00, which winding movement will elevate the cross straps I01 and the secondary slats 5 supported thereon up to a position where the upper face b of each of the secn a sl s will substan ial y abu the un e ,14 surface b of the adjacent superimposed primary slat 5. Rotation of the winding roller Itfl in the opposite direction, will cause a downward movement of the paired supporting bands I65 and I65 in a manner to lower the supporting straps ID! and the secondary slats supported thereon to the point where the lower face a of each secondary set 6 will substantially contact the upper face a of the adjacent underlying primary slat 5. Thus it will be appreciated that by an appropriate rotation of the winding roller me, the secondary slats 6 may be elevated or lowered to any desired position between the adjacent overlying and underlying primary slats.

Mechanism III] is provided for rotating the winding roller I06 in either direction as desired. As shown more particularly in Fig. 17, the roller rotating mechanism IIEI may comprise an enclosing housing I II which contains a circuiar gear H2 therein. A stud H3 which may have a square cross section extends from the adjacent end of the roller Hit and is fixed to the gear I E2 in the housing III. The gear H2 meshes with a worm gear I it fixed to a transversely extending shaft I I5 journaled in the housing I i i The projecting end of the shaft H5 is connected to an exposed pulley IIB around which the manipu1at ing chain Ill is trained. Rotation of the pulley wheel I It, effected by a manipulation of the cord or chain I I1, rotates the worm gear I I4 which in turn rotates the gear H2 and the winding roller I00.

The winding mechanism it may be supported by a suspended bracket I29 which is secured as by securing elements IZI to the head frame member ii. The bracket I23 is provided with an inclined slot 422 in which a stud I23 projecting from the housing III of the winding mechanism i It is journaled. Th housing II I of the winding mechanism I I0 is also secured as by a bracket I24 to the adacent end of the tilting frame member l5. Thus the suspended bracket I28 supports the adjacent end of the tilting frame member l5 in a manner to permit substantially tilting movement thereof.

By an appropriate manipulation of the suspended chain E I!, the winding roller 1% may be rotated in either direction as desired to effect raising or lowering movement of the secondary slats in the Venetian blind assembly shown in Fig. 17. By manipulating the chain 29 positioned at the other end of the Venetian blind assembly, the tilting mechanism 9 may be manipulated to tilt the tilting frame member I5 in any desired direction to thereby affect tilting movement of both the primary and secondary slats. Both primary and secondary slats may be moved to full hung or partial hung position by appropriate manipulation of the cord it.

Venetian blinds constructed in accordance with this invention are characterized by the provision of a secondary slat system in addition to a primary slat system, with mechanism for shifting the secondary slats with respect to the primary slats to thereby effect a plurality of shading effects. By coloring the top side and the lower side of the primary slats in selected dark and light colors, and by coloring the top and bottom sides of the secondary slats in corresponding light and dark colors, a dark shading effect or a light shading effect, as well as variou decorative shading effects, may be accomplished with ease and facility. Completel harmonious color effects may be achieved by coloring the top face a" of the bottom frame member 3 in the same color 1 5 tone as the underside a ofthe immediately overlying secondary slat as shown in Figs. 1 and 1'7.

It Will be appreciated that Venetian blinds and shading assemblies may be constructed in accordance with this invention to be mounted either on the inside or the outsid of the room window. The primary and secondary slats may be mounted as a permanent part of the window frame, with or without mechanism 8 for elevating and lowering the slat assemblies, suitable mechanism being provided for tilting the slats and for shifting the secondary slat as may be selectively desired. The mechanism for tilting the primary and secondary slats and for shifting the secondary slats, may be variously constructed in accordance with this invention to be manipulated by draw chain, cord, lever or various other manipulating devices.

Plural-purpose Venetian blinds constructed in accordance with this invention, combine in a single structure a plural colored system of primary and secondary slats whereby light shading, dark shading, multi-colored shading and varying degrees of light or darkness may be provided for the room Without restricting the admission of fresh outside air. Plural-purpose Venetian blinds can be constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention at relatively low cost, which is simple in construction, positive in operation, and attractive and appealing in appearance.

While certain novel features of the invention have been disclosed herein, and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What i claimed is:

1. An improved Venetian blind designed for plural purpose shading including, a series of primary shading slats, a series of secondary shading slats arranged in alternating relationship with respect to said primary slats, means for manipulating said secondary slats into and out of nested relationship with either the adjacent superimposed or the adjacent underlying primary slats, the top surfaces of certain of said secondary slats differing in color from the lower surfaces thereof, the upper surfaces of certain of said secondary slats and the lower surfaces of certain of the adjacent primary slats being substantially similar in color, the lower surfaces of certain of said secondary slats and the upper surfaces of certain of said adjacent primary slats being substantially similar in color.

2. An improved Venetian blind designed for plural purpose shading including, a series of primary shading slats, a series of secondary shading slats arranged in alternating relationship with respect to said primary slats, means for manipulating said secondary slats into and out of nested realtionship with either the adjacent superimposed or the adjacent underlying primary slats, the top surfaces of said secondary slats differing in color from the lower surfaces thereof, the upper surfaces of said secondary slats and the lower surfaces of the adjacent underlying primary slats being substantially similar in color, the lower surfaces of said secondary slats and the upper surfaces of the adjacent overlying primary slats being substantially similar in color, means for tilting said primary and secondary slats in unison, and means for elevating and lowering said primary and secondary slat in unison.

3. An improved Venetian blind including, a series of primary shading slats, a series of secondaryshading slats arrangedin alterna-tingre lationship with respect to said primary slats, and means for selectively manipulating said secondary slats into and out of nested relationship with respect to either the adjacent overlying or the adjacent underlying primary slats, the top surfaces of certain of said secondary slats differing in color from the lower surfaces thereof, the upper surfaces of said secondary slats and the lower surfaces of certain of the adjacent primary slats being substantially similar in color, the lower surfaces of certain of said secondary slats and the upper surfaces of certain of said adjacent primary slats being substantially similar in color, said manipulating mean including spaced front and rear supporting bands, cross bands associated with said suspension band for support.- ing said secondary shading slats in spaced arrangement, a winding roller to which the upper ends of said suspension bands are secured, and means for rotating said winding roller in either direction to raise or lower said suspension bands and the secondary slats supported thereby.

4. An improved Venetian blind including, a series of primary shading slats, a series of secondary shading slats arranged in alternating relationship with respect to said primary slats, means for selectively manipulating said secondary slats into and out of nested relationship with respect to either the adjacent overlying or the adjacent underlying primary slats, the top surfaces of certain of said secondary slats differing in color from the lower surfaces thereof, the upper surfaces of said secondary slats and the lower surfaces of certain of the adjacent primary slats being substantially similar in color, the lower surfaces of certain of said secondary slats and the upper surfaces of certain of said adjacent primary slats being substantially similar-in color, said manipulating means including spaced front and rear supporting bands, cross bands associated with said suspension bands for supporting said secondary shading slats in spaced arrangement, a winding roller to which the upper ends of said suspension bands are secured, means for rotating said winding roller in either direction'to raise or lower said suspension bands and the secondary slats supported thereby, means for tilting said primary and secondary slats in unison, and means for elevating and lowering said primary and secondary slats in unison.

5. An improved Venetian blind including, a series of primary shading slats, a series of secondary shading slats arranged in alternating re"v lationship with respect to said primary slats, and means for selectively manipulating said secondary slats into and out of nested relationship with either the adjacent overlying or the adjacent underlying primary slats, said manipulating means including spaced suspension cords threaded through the mid-section of said primary and secondary slats, a hinging connection for tiltably connecting each of said secondary slats to the adjacent body section of each of said suspension cords, and means for guiding the movement of said suspension cords.

6. An improved Venetian blind including, a series of primary shading slats, a series of secondary shading slats arranged in alternating relationship with respect to said primary slats, and means for selectively manipulating said secondary slats into and out of nested relationship with either the adjacent overlying or the adjacent underlying primary slats, said manipulating means including spaced suspension cords threaded through the mid-section of said primary and secondary slats, a hinging connection for tiltably connecting each of said secondary slats to the adjacent body section of each of said suspension cords, roller means for guiding the movement of said suspension cords, and a latching device for releasably locking said suspension cords and the secondary slats in the desired suspended position.

7. An improved Venetian blind including, a series of primary shading slats, a series of secondary shading slats arranged in alternating relationship with respect to said primary slats, means for selectively manipulating said secondary slats into and out of nested relationship with either the adjacent overlying or the adjacent underlying primary slats, said manipulating means including spaced suspension cords threaded through the mid-section of said primary and secondary slats, a hinging connection for tiltably connecting each of said secondary slats to the adjacent body section of each of said suspension cords, roller means for guiding the movement of said suspension cords, a latching device for releasably locking said suspension cords and the secondary slats in selective suspended position, means for tilting said primary and secondary slats in unison, and means for elevating and lowering said primary slats in unison.

8. An improved Venetian blind including, a series of primary shading slats, a series of secondary shading slats arranged in alternating relationship with respect to said primary slats, means for selectively manipulating said secondary slats into and out of nested relationship with either the adjacent overlying or the adjacent underlying primary slats, a tilting frame member, means for rockably supporting said tilting frame member, a weighted bottom frame member, spaced suspension bands connected to said tilting frame member and said bottom frame member, cross bands associated with said suspension bands supporting said primary slats in spaced til relationship, and mechanism for rocking said tilting frame member to tilt said primary and secondary slats in unison and in either direction through an angle of approximately 9. An improved Venetian blind including, a series of primary shading slats, a series of secondary shading slats arranged in alternating relationship with respect to said primary slats, means for selectively manipulating said secondary slats into and out of nested relationship with either the adjacent overlying or the adjacent underlying primary slats, a tilting frame member, means for rockably supporting said tilting frame member, a weighted bottom frame member, spaced suspension bands connected to said tilting frame member and said bottom frame member, cross bands associated with said suspension bands supporting said primary slats in spaced relationship, a head frame member, spaced suspension cords threaded through said primary and secondary slats and secured to said bottom frame member, roller means associated with said head frame member for guiding the movement of said suspension cords, a latch device associated with said head frame member for releasably locking said suspension cords and the primary and secondary slats in selective suspended position, and mechanism for rocking said tilting frame member to tilt said primary and secondary slats in unison through an angle of approximately 180.

EDWARD A. RULFS.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,059,134 Metcalf Oct. 27, 1936 2,074,482 Martens Mar. 23, 1937 2,075,462 Parmenter Mar. 30, 1937 2,197,965 Booth Apr. 23, 1940 2,234,399 Daugherty Mar. 11, 1941 

